Can spontaneous pneumothorax be resolved in COVID-19 without hospital care? A case report.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We encountered the novel coronavirus infection as a pandemic in 2020. The infection started in Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly all over the world. CT scan has been used as an important diagnostic method in the detection of suspicious patients. One of the uncommon complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is pneumothorax. CASE PRESENTATION A 47-year-old smoker male with COVID-19 diagnosis, good general condition and no respiratory complaint, complicated by pneumothorax. He refused hospitalization. After educating him about the red flags and quarantine protocols, he continued treatment at home .Cap amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 625mg was prescribed for one week. A follow-up CT represented only small involvement of lungs. Pneumothorax was resolved spontaneously without any medical intervention and hospitalization. O2 saturation was in normal range an there was no dry cough anymore. CONCLUSION: According to our clinical experience, pneumothorax is resolved spontaneously in a COVID-19 case. Considering general status and hemodynamic stability, it is suggested to reduce invasive interventions in COVID-19 cases with pneumothorax.